Chargers safety Brandon Taylor was just beginning to see playing time in his rookie year. With a push and a pop Sunday afternoon, it came to an all-too-sudden end.

The third-round draft choice suffered a torn right ACL in the third quarter of a 27-17 win over the Jets, a source said. He is scheduled for knee surgery this week and will begin recovering and rehabbing with the goal to be ready for the start of next season.

Taylor, who had three combined tackles and half a sack in his first career start, said he's "staying positive about everything."

"I got caught in the turf when (Jets tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson) pushed me," Taylor, 22, said. "I felt it pop. ... Everything happens for a reason. I know that. That's how I was raised. It's a stepping stone. I just have to rehab and come back even better."

The former LSU team captain spent the first 11 games inactive while developing on the practice field. He debuted Dec. 2 against the Bengals, seeing most of his work on special teams.

Since his April arrival, Taylor has endeared himself to his veteran teammates with a quiet, humble work ethic. Several praised him in the days leading up to Sunday's game, saying they were eager for his expanding role.

Corey Lynch subbed in for Taylor in nickel situations and then took over the base defense after the injury.

"That's the last thing I wanted to see for that guy," Lynch said. "We all love him. We all appreciate and respect him. He's done such a good job this year. To see him go down like that, especially at the end of the year, it just breaks my heart."

Taylor is viewed as the Chargers' strong safety of the future.

The hope was for him to gain experience to finish the year, building for 2013. The hope now is for his finish not to set him back.

The coach began listing some of the Chargers' veterans who've dealt with major injuries that required long rehab, from quarterback Philip Rivers' knee to tight end Antonio Gates' foot to center Nick Hardwick's ankle.

"All those guys have come back and played at very high levels," Turner said. "He's got great role models in our locker room. I can name a lot more guys who have been through that and are in the middle of having great careers.

"Unfortunately, (injuries are) a part of it, but he's got an outstanding future ahead of him."